Season 1 Episode #4: Creating Effective Diversity Initiatives: The PhD Project Story

Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV Season 1 Episode 4 Episode Title: Creating Effective Diversity Initiatives: The PhD Project Story Guest: Bernie Milano   Diversity Matters with Oscar Holmes IV is a podcast that explores all things diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) related. In each episode, Oscar and his guests have lively discussions around DEI topics, explore the latest research on the topic, and discuss the implications so that listeners will be more knowledgeable about the topics and be able to apply the insights to their lives.   Show Summary: In this episode, Bernie Milano, the former president of the KPMG Foundation and the founder of The PhD Project. A CPA, shares the reason behind this project and what challenges he faced while building the organization. Despite the struggles, he still managed to build a legacy because his purpose was not only for himself but for the people who needed his help.   When they were starting, they didn’t have a clear action plan but knew what they wanted to accomplish. Partnering up with organizations like National Association of Black Accountants, National Black MBA Association, Association of Hispanic MBAs and 10 more organizations allowed them to bring their message to the right people and that took them one step ahead of the game.   This helped them broaden their network and encourage people to get their PHDs. Their mission to wholeheartedly support employees of colors to become professors & leaders has been their fuel & achievement for many years of their project’s existence.   Description: This episode shows a unique kind of experience. It proves that people of different colors can come together to achieve a common goal. Helping each other genuinely creates a great impact not only to an individual but to the whole society.   Be driven by your purpose. Listen to the stories of the people you meet. Create a legacy that will leave a mark in the history and the hearts of the people you serve.   Guest Contact & Promos:  3 Value Bombs:     We are all products of our life experiences.   I think it's true of almost anything you try to do with your life or with your career you have to have, you have to be authentic. You have to have a genuine interest and passion for what it is you're trying to do. It's important to get up in the morning to know you have a reason to get up and you have a purpose for that day. Show Highlights:    Why did you feel the need to start The PhD Project and why were you the right person to start it? 4:16 Bernie   Well, you know, it's interesting. I ran recruiting for KPMG for a couple decades as the National department in charge of University Relations. And from a professional standpoint and the firm's standpoint and our goals and our values, as well as my own personal interest, I'm very frustrated about not being able to find we'll call them students of color. I don't want to offend anyone, but the focus in the PhD project is really on African, Hispanic and Native American so I am very frustrated about not being able to find the students of color no matter where we went unless we went to an HBCU.   Can you share with us some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in founding this organization and specific strategies and alliances you employed in order to overcome those challenges?   6:20 Bernie   When we started, we didn't have a clue what we were doing but we knew we wanted to accomplish. We tried to harness some talent around the table, reached out to some organizations like advertising firms and others. And, you know, what we were told was the most effective thing to do in order to get our message out, was to use direct mail. What portion of your success in founding The PhD Project would you attribute to your being a cis-heterosexual White man?   8:39 Bernie   Well, I've never really thought of it that way. You know, we are all people. We are all products of our life experiences. And even though I would be categorized as a whit